We value peace and appreciate it in this present time, but considering our heroes' past struggles and looking into how it goes today, we may consider that peace is in jeopardy. Nowadays, there are several hoaxes, hate speech, and provocations spreading both online and offline, which cause division and sow discord. The fact is, when such hoaxes and hate crimes involve multiple perpetrators, the argument remains futile. The beauty of humanity is in a world with no violence, no racial intolerance, and no hostility, where everyone is treated fairly, respectively, and with care regardless of culture and belief. The people who carry these values inside themselves stand together, appreciate each other, and respect one another's contribution. Is it not a beautiful dream?

Yet, it remains unfathomable how people can continue their hate speech against fellow men and brethren on Instagram, Facebook, and the rest, or even instigate separation among peoples by concocting hoaxes. And so, for us to make peace in this world, let me suggest, dear reader, your participation in NOT buying into the traps of fake news. It's often less difficult to fight fake news than it appears, and here are some of the ways you could contribute to the combat:

Check sources.

Even if the news comes from social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, or Twitter, don't just take it for granted. It is always good to check where the news is coming from. Most of the time, hoaxes or fake news do not have an author's name or source, or they have vague or false information that is hard to trace.

Avoid the temptation to click on sensational headlines.

If the headline is too shocking or enticing, pause before clicking on it. Most hoax articles contain sensational titles to make one react. To avoid falling for these, cross-check the information with other credible sources.

Know the timeline of news and the date of publication.

Most of the fake news has manipulated time, reusing or distorting information that might have been released sometime back. A story like that makes readers believe it's something happening now. That confuses them about when recent events occurred.

Check the photos presented.

Fake news usually has attention-gaining pictures that do not relate to the story told. In such cases, the photos may be unconnected or misleading. To verify if an image is being used out of context, you can use Google's reverse image search. This will help you find out whether the picture is being used out of context.

Read and understand the whole article.

One mistake that most people make while encountering fake news is reading just the headline or the opening lines. It is very important to read the entire piece and analyze it thoroughly. Many a time, fake news will omit some important details or distort the context, so understanding the whole content helps you get the true picture.

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